Kildare Arts Grants and Bursaries

Anyone in Kildare?

This year the Kildare County Council Arts Service have 10 grants / bursary awards.

• Youth Arts Residency Bursary Award
• Artist in Schools Residency Bursary Award
• Recording Bursary @ Leixlip Library
• Emerging Visual Artist Solo Exhibition Bursary Award
• Arts Act Grants Scheme
• Laban Guild Dance Leaders Course Bursary
• Film Bursary Award
• Cecil Day Lewis Literary Bursary Award
• Tyrone Guthrie Residency Bursary Award
• Drama League of Ireland Summer School Bursary Award

All application forms can be downloaded from the Arts Service website
Read the condition carefully.
Snailmail only.

Deadline: FRIDAY 19TH MARCH AT 5PM SHARP.

Creating Characters

Some advice from Anthea Fraser, a thriller writer. Her latest book is called Thicker Than Water.

I have a Faces and Places file, in which I keep photos of men and women torn out of newspapers or magazines – never anyone well known, just people with interesting faces – and when I’m thinking about a new book, I flick through it to see if any of them fit the characters I need. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don’t, but I find it quite useful to have photos in front of me as I’m writing; I can look at them and think, ‘Now, how would they react in this situation?’

Mannerisms also help to establish a character. Someone could continually drum his fingers on the desk, or doodle. A girl could keep turning the ring on her finger, or twist her hair when upset. A good tip here is people-watching. Study (unobtrusively, of course!) your fellow passengers on buses and trains, the people you sit opposite in the tube. Watch their faces, their body language, and, if they’re with a companion, how they speak, move their hands, their facial expressions. Try to imagine where they live, what their jobs are, where they’re going and why. Then borrow some of those traits to bring life to your own creations.

Remember, too, that your characters don’t spring suddenly into life, like Venus from her shell. They’ve been around for a number of years before we meet them, and what happened to them in the past has made them what they are. Though you might never mention it, you must be aware of at least some of that past. It’s the iceberg theory – writers need to know more about their characters than is ever revealed.

Sligo Arts Grants

Anyone in or from Sligo?

Arts Grants and Bursaries Applications

Deadline: MONDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2010, 4PM

Arts grants and bursaries for individual artists, community and voluntary arts groups involved in the promotion of the arts in County Sligo. These provide funding opportunities for communities and professional artists towards a diverse range of artistic activities covering all artforms including literature, visual arts, music, traditional music and dance, theatre and drama, photography, film and electronic media, festivals and individual arts practice.

A total of €20,000 will be available for Arts Grants to support community-based arts festivals, events and activities and to support amateur and voluntary arts groups improve their expertise and skills by working with professionals.

A fund of €7,000 will be available for Artist Bursaries to support professional artists in their careers and the development of their arts practice.  In allocating grants, Sligo County Council will consider to what extent the grant request accords with the County Council’s policies and priorities on the promotion of the arts.

Further Information and Application Forms are available from Sligo Arts Service 071 911 1826.

Succour Submissions

Succour have an unusual but interesting sounding theme this time around.

For Succour 11, our Spring/Summer 2010 issue

All submissions should be written on Saturday February 6th, 2010.


What you write should not be an attempt to execute an idea – for a story, for a poem, etc – that has previously occurred to you. Rather, we would prefer you to write whatever happens to come into your head at that particular time.

The idea for this issue was inspired by 20 Lines a Day by Harry Mathews, in which the author sets out to follow a rule Stendhal once set himself, to write ‘Twenty lines a day, genius or not’. Mathews undertakes this project in an attempt to overcome ‘the anxiety of the blank page’; it becomes part of his writing practice, his way of starting off, getting in the zone, before going on to whatever his main writing project may be. We would like submissions to February 6th, 2010 to be written in the same spirit.

We will be accepting submissions to February 6th, 2010 from Saturday February 6th 2010 until Monday February 8th 2010 – thereby allowing a couple of days for typing up etc.

Maximum word count: 400

Send all work to: submissions@succour.org

The Lonely Voice: Short Story Introductions

Get down to the Irish Writers Centre this Wednesday night for an innovative project, a set of emerging short stories writers will read their stories.

The Lonely Voice: Short Story Introductions is a new monthly short story event at the Irish Writers' Centre, showcasing emerging talent.

The inaugural event and wine reception will take place on Wednesday 27th January from 7pm at the Irish Writers' Centre. Our featured readers are Aideen Henry, Niamh Bagnell, Mary O' Shea and Annemarie Neary.

It is free and open to all, so come along for what promises to be a fantastic night of fiction!

The next deadline for submission is the 5th February and the competition is ongoing. Please send the short story you would like to read (max 3,000 words and limited to one entry per person per month) and a short bio to: thelonelyvoice@gmail.com.

Complete Lounge Lizard Tour Dates

I am proud to announce my Lizard tour. I'll be popping up in many places in Ireland.

If anyone runs poetry readings and wants to talk to me about putting your town on the map (tongue in cheek here), contact me. Email is top of the sidebar. I'd love to add somewhere in the North, Donegal, Kilkenny, Waterford, Ennis, West Cork, Kildare and Sligo, amongst others.

And please, please come along. I'll be ever-so grateful. There's nothing worse than reading to a room of people who consist of the organisers, the barstaff and other readers.

Monday 25th January 9pm
Glór at the International Bar, Suffolk St, Dublin
This is a Haiti Fundraiser
The wonderful weekly mix of Spoken word and music, not to be missed. If you can't make my date, do check it out another Monday night. Recommended. Run by Stephen James Smith

Thursday 4th February 8pm
On The Nail, The Locke Bar, George's Quay, Limerick.
Organised by The Limerick Writers' Centre. Also featuring Fergus Costelloe, a performance poet from Tipperary. Followed by an open mic and music. Free. I don't think I know anyone in Limerick, do I?

Monday 15th February 9pm
Glór at the International Bar, Suffolk St, Dublin
with the Poetry Divas

Thursday 25th February 7pm
Litjam, Centre for Creative Practices, 15 Pembroke St, Dublin
Poetry Divas are featured readers at the inaugural Litjam night. €5 includes tea and coffee. Spoken word and music. Open Mic.

Monday 8th March 8.30 for 9.00pm
Ó Bhéal Upstairs at The Long Valley, Winthrop Street, Cork.
Original poetry, storytelling and unplugged ceol. Includes an open mic. Looking forward to this. All the out-laws should be there.

Thursday 11th March 6:30pm
Ignite, Science Gallery, Pearse Street, Dublin
16 five minute talks or performances with a mix of scientists, arts people and people from business, and the first reading I've sourced from Twitter! Admission: €10 (€5 concession with student ID)

Friday 12th March 8pm
Over the Edge, Sheridan's Wine Bar, Galway
The ever popular and innovative poets in Over the Edge. Followed by an open mic. Should be a great night.

Thursday 15th April 8pm
Boyne Reading, Knightsbridge Village Hall, Trim, Co Meath
A bit closer to home, an increasingly popular night for Meath based audiences. Free. Tea and Coffee and an open mic.

Friday 14th May 8:30pm
Cáca Milis Cabaret, Wexford Arts Centre
The Poetry Divas will read at this new, monthly mix of writers, poets, dancers, film makers, musicians, clowns, comedians, singer songwriters and animators. Admission: €8

Wednesday 28th July 9pm
Whitehouse Poets, The White House, 2/3 Glentworth Street Limerick
Weekly Poetry night with a great rep. All this and finger food too.

This sounds good - Poetry Trust

But you can't apply as I want to and I don't want any competition from you lot. OK?

The Poetry Trust has run an Advanced Seminar (with  funding from Jerwood 2006-2009), aimed at poets working towards a first or second collection. These intensive, five-day seminars all took place at Bruisyard Hall, near Saxmundham, Suffolk and were tutored by Michael Laskey and Peter Sansom and saw poets work in depth on their manuscripts, looking at other poets exemplary first collections in the process, and also create new work. The success of these seminars is evident by the calibre and ensuing success of many the poets who have taken part - e.g. Allison McVety, Katrina Naomi, Ed Reiss, Philip Rush and Kathryn Simmonds.

The Poetry Trust has run an Advanced Seminar (with  funding from Jerwood 2006-2009), aimed at poets working towards a first or second collection. These intensive, five-day seminars all took place at Bruisyard Hall, near Saxmundham, Suffolk and were tutored by Michael Laskey and Peter Sansom and saw poets work in depth on their manuscripts, looking at other poets exemplary first collections in the process, and also create new work. The success of these seminars is evident by the calibre and ensuing success of many the poets who have taken part - e.g. Allison McVety, Katrina Naomi, Ed Reiss, Philip Rush and Kathryn Simmonds.

More on applying here.

• Full contact details (including email)
• A selection of poems (no more than six, published or unpublished)
• Publication history
• A brief biography
• A short statement of suitability for the course, likely contribution to the group and anticipated benefits (no more than 100 words)

Deadline: Friday 12 February 2010

Reading Tour

I am proud to announce my Spring tour. I'm calling it my Lizard tour, as in lounge lizard, as most are in bars. I'll be popping up in many places in Ireland.

If anyone runs poetry readings and wants to talk to me about putting your town on the map (tongue in cheek here), contact me. Email is top of the sidebar. I'd love to add somewhere in the North, Kilkenny, Waterford, Wexford, Ennis, West Cork, Kildare and Sligo, amongst others.

And please, please come along. I'll be ever-so grateful. There's nothing worse than reading to a room of people who consist of the organisers, the barstaff and other readers.

Monday 25th January 9pm
Glor at the International Bar, Suffolk St, Dublin
This is a Haiti Fundraiser
The wonderful weekly mix of Spoken word and music, not to be missed. If you can't make my date, do check it out another Monday night. Recommended. Run by Stephen James Smith

Thursday 4th February 8pm
On The Nail, The Locke Bar, George's Quay, Limerick.
Organised by The Limerick Writers' Centre. Also featuring Fergus Costelloe, a performance poet from Tipperary.I don't think I know anyone in Limerick, do I?

Monday 8th March 8.30 for 9.00pm
Ó Bhéal Upstairs at The Long Valley, Winthrop Street, Cork.
Original poetry, storytelling and unplugged ceol. Looking forward to this. All the out-laws should be there.

There's more but I'm out of time. Watch this space

Conflict

When my daughter was three, she had to stay in hospital (gastroenteritus, not nice, not too serious.) We'd read the books we'd brought from home a few times. We'd read some books we'd got from the library trolley (what a great idea. Long live the hospital library trolley, I say)

I said, "shall I tell you a story?"
and she said "yes."
"How about Little Red Riding Hood?"
"yes please," she said and added in a wobbly voice, "but no wolf."

She was too weak to handle a wolf in a story, poor little thing.

So I told her about Little Red Riding Hood who took a basket of bread and cake to her Granny, walking through the woods, picking some lovely flowers and taking them to her Granny in her bed, who was ever so grateful.

That was it. Really boring.

Why was it really boring? There was no conflict, no danger, no reason to keep listening to the story. She went for a walk in the woods. So what?

You have to have conflict.

LRRH took the basket of cakes from her mother.
"Now remember, stick to the path and don't talk to strangers," she said.

So what does she do? stray and talk to a wolf.

Fantastic PR from our good buddies in New Zealand

I wish I was artistic enough to create something as fantastic as this.

More to Peruse

(That's peruse, not pursue)

2010: a year of kissing people. I think he should photo each one. The person, not the kiss.

The lovely lyrics to Glow Little Glow Worm Go from George Szirtes.

Lovely photos of 20th century ship launches in Delaware.

Good poetry advice from the Plough Prize via Michael Farry

Shedblog - a blog about sheds.

No Pants Subway Day from Improv Everywhere, New York. Shall we do this on the Dart?

Cats4Gold - LOL

What makes a good Poetry Collection Title. Poll at Polyolbion

Top Ten Questions Dutton Editors Ask before taking on a book/author

Query/acceptance statistics from Janet Reid. Literary Agent

Cork Grants for Organisations

Cork City Council invites applications for the grants under the Arts Act from groups who contribute to the creative arts or culture of Cork City. Grant is provided to a number of professional arts organisations and community and voluntary groups throughout the city area. These grants provide direct revenue funding for groups in support of their core work.

Cork City Council's Arts and Cultural Development Plan 2006-2009 is available to download from its website. Grant aid is distributed in accordance with these policies and strategies. Arts Grants are allocated to organisations only. Cork City Council offer artist bursary awards to individual artists. Please contact to arts office for further information.

Applications should be made on the official application form, which is available from the Arts Office, Recreation, Amenity and Culture, City Hall. Cork. Application forms are also available from the website and by email from arts@corkcity.ie

Deadline: Friday 5th February 2010.

Carlow Grants

Anyone in or from Carlow? Why not apply for funding this year.

Carlow Co Co and Town Council wish to support professional artists who are originally from Carlow or currently resident in Carlow through the provision of Support for Professional Carlow Artists 2010 bursaries designed to assist artists in their professional development, in the creation of art and in bringing their art to the public.

Under the 2003 Arts Act Grants scheme the local authorities are also offering to provide financial assistance for the purposes of stimulating public interest in the arts; promoting the knowledge, appreciation and practices of the arts; and improving standards in the arts. This can include creative or interpretative expression (traditional or contemporary) in any form, including visual art, film, architecture, etc.

Application details for both of the above schemes may be obtained from:
Carlow Arts Office, Carlow County Council, County Offices, Athy Road, Carlow
T: 059 9170301 or 059 9136204
E: ascully@carlowcoco.ie or sdowling@carlowcoco.ie

Deadline: 4pm, 26 February 2010

UK Poetry Presses

I'm researching Irish and British Poetry Presses to see which I will honour with my first collection (!) no seriously. Anyway, not all Poetry Presses are created equal.

Which Presses have had a collection shortlisted for the Forward Prize, first collection and new collection?

- Picador. Editor Don Paterson. Publishes: Carol Ann Duffy, Sean O’Brien, Kathleen Jamie, Kate Clanchy, Ian Duhig, Jacob Polley, Colette Bryce, John Glenday and Peter Porter
- Jonathan Cape
- Faber Publishes Don Paterson, Andrew Motion, Hugo Williams, John Agard
- Areté Books - Areté, 8 New College Lane, Oxford OX1 3BN. can't find a website.
- Salt.
- Seren The Welsh publishers.
- CB Editions. a Small publisher
- WW Norton an American publishing house.

The Costa Prize for Poetry includes:
- The Gallery Press. Irish. Editor Peter Fallon. Publishes: Ciaran Carson, Eamon Grennan, Medbh McGuckian, Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin, Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, Vona Groarke, John McAuliffe, Conor O'Callaghan, Justin Quinn and Peter Sirr.

It's hard to find the names of the publishers for the Costa. They should add that to their website. It's an important detail.

I'm not saying, by the way, that I expect to win the Forward prize but I do want a critically acclaimed press.

Blog Awards

Not that I'm hinting but

The Irish Blog Awards for 2010 are open for nominations, you can pick your favourite blogs on their website now. The Irish Blog Awards are a great initiative, in that they’re open to votes from the public. It’s a good opportunity to nominate some of your favourite Irish blogs.

I was nominated in my first year but not last year. Gutted, I was. Gutted.

Susan at the Joy of Writing is running a short story workshop in Bray, Co Wicklow for a recession busting 10 Euro.

When:10.30 on Saturday 30 January 2010
Where:All-Trust Centre in Bray, next to the Dart

Worth a look-see if you're in the area.

Bremen - New Leaf Poetry

Anyone in or near Bremen on Wednesday 21st January? Yes that's Bremen in Germany. I had to look at map. Somewhere between Hamburg and Dusseldorf in case you're asking.

Go along to the launch of New Leaf as my representative. I have a poem in there but I'll be in Annaghamakerrig.

There's reading from the more local poets represented in the journal and live music too.

The lovely Ian Watson (well actually we've never met but if he chose my poem, that's good enough for me) says:

Beat the snow; enjoy the show. Take one of three trams to the Sielwall stop and you're only a few crunchy yards of ice and slush away from a warm sunny evening.

Fingal Playwrights

Write Here Write Now. Draiocht in association with Fishamble Theatre Company are looking for new plays by emerging Fingal playwrights. They say

Do you live or work in the Fingal area and are you over 18?
Have you thought about writing a play for the stage?
Then this is your chance to work with Fingal’s leading multi-disciplinary arts centre and Ireland’s only theatre company entirely dedicated to the production of new work.

Deadline: Friday 26th February 2010.

Forward an outline/treatment of a new play that you would be interested in writing. Tell us where the play is located, who the main characters are, what it’s all about and why you want to write it. The submission should take the format of one to two A4 pages typed and double-spaced.

Kildare Young Writers

Short Story Competition for Young Adults

Library Branch: Newbridge Community Library, Newbridge

Email: newbridgelib@kildarecoco.ie Telephone: 045 448353

Deadline: 30 January 2010

Newbridge Community Library is hosting a Short Story Competition for Young Adults between 15 and 18 years.

Judge: Mae Leonard

Theme: Libraries / Books.

Entries should be type written and less than 1200 words.

1st Prize will consist of a €50 Easons Voucher, 2nd Prize a €25 voucher.

Hanna Greally Competition

This is a new competition. They need to let us know what the prize is before charging 10 Euro per poem or short story.

SiarSceal Festival 2010 is organising a Poetry/Short Story Competition with the following themes

1. Home place in translation,
2. Threading my existence through family gone before,
3. Roscommon my home.

(Presumably one of the three)

Competition Guidelines

* Bilingual entries are encouraged especially in the Irish language.
* Entries are limited to two poems/stories per person.
* Poems will be no longer than 60 lines.
* Short stories no longer than 500 words.
* Entrants name, address, contact number, details and poem/story title must be written on a separate page.

Deadline: Friday, 12th February 2010.

Overall Winner will receive a cash prize.

(How much?)

1st prize winners in four categories* will receive the Hanna Greally Award Trophy.
Highly commended runners up will each receive a certificate and cash prize.
The winners will be presented with the awards by the Mayor of Roscommon and invited to read during the Festival launch.

Entries to be sent to Gwen Bond, Emlagh, Castleplunkett, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon.
For further details phone 087 2628191 or 094 9651867 or email siarsceal@live.ie

Fees: 10 Euros per entry. Concessions (proof needed) 5 euro per entry.
School Class submissions - 20 euro per class.

Patron: Richie Farrell, Roscommon County Librarian.

Aspirations for 2010

A little way into January. I need to write these down so I can beat myself up about them later. Last year I said

• Send out more poems, particularly to UK magazines.

I have done some and got published in Orbis and Grist. So I'll keep doing this.

Maybe I'll look at US magazines. Any recommendations?

• Write something every day. This does not, repeat NOT include blogging. OK, so I've failed at this so far but however...Even 10 words. Really. 10 words will do it. Because if you start, you may do a bit more.

Words of wisdom. Pure pearls.

• Go to at least one reading every month. 

 Yes.

And this year I'll add:

• Pimp for more readings

Do get in touch if you have a slot at a regular event or festival. Particularly if you want The Poetry Diva Collective. We are fabulous.

• Buff the collection so it sparkles and actually send it out. 

What's the worse that can happen? They say No? I'll be no worse off than now. But who should I submit to first?

•  Submit to Mslexia, Bridport, Strokestown and Patrick Kavanagh. Maybe Listowel too. 

That's enough to be going on with.

Things worth reading

From Margaret Atwood's blog, Reasons to keep paper books. I'm not too tempted by ebooks and e readers (though if someone has one I can try, I'm always willing to give it a lash)

Winners of a competition to create publishing myths at Editorial anonymous. Worryingly plausible.

Smallest library - in a phonebox.

Wonderful collection of inspirational quotes collected by Marian Keyes who is sadly suffering from depression. They include Hamlet, Eeyore, Leonard Cohen, Dorothy Parker and Churchill.

How to Write Badly Well blog from Joel Stickley - tongue in cheek what NOT to do's.

Tiny Poems is lovely but unfortunately seems to be dormant.

Paperback Writer is imagining Inventions for Writers.

Crashaw Poetry Shortlist

The Salt Publishing Crashaw Prize received and read 120 full length manuscripts from poets in the UK and Ireland, the USA, Australia and New Zealand. They have announced a shortlist of 12 - only 3 are women.

1. Phil Brown, Il Avilit (ENGLAND)
2. Matt Bryden, Boxing the Compass (ENGLAND)
3. Theodore Z. Cotler, House with a Dark Sky Roof (USA)
4. Nathan Hoks, Book of Clouds (USA)
5. Yvonne C. Murphy, Aviaries (USA)
6. Andrew Pidoux, Year of the Lion (USA)
7. Nick Potamitis, The Book of Night Terrors (ENGLAND)
8. Terry Ann Thaxton, Getaway Girl (USA)
9. Jonty Tiplady, Zam Bonk Dip (ENGLAND)
10. Ryan Van Winkle, Untitled (SCOTLAND)
11. Eoghan Walls, The Salt Harvest (IRELAND)
12. Anna Woodford, Birdhouse (ENGLAND)

They will publish four collections during in 2010. The winners will be announced on Friday 26th of February.

What Did I Not Do in 2009?

I haven't got used to this twenty-ten thing yet...

I was rereading what I said this time last year. Review of the Year 2008

What did I not do that I meant to? I asked last year.

- Finish my novel
- Get my poetry collection finished/published
- Finish my novel
- Earns lots of money so I can concentrate on finishing my novel
- Get a bursary so I can concentrate on finishing my novel
- Finish my novel

Nothing I can take away from that. My novel is creeping along like a sick snail. I did get a bursary, very nice but not enough to live on, eat and pay the mortgage. What I have been using it for is:
- to do some readings that aren't always paid enough to cover costs, petrol, staying overnight somewhere
- buy copies of journals, books and magazines to support independent presses (recommended for anyone with a few bob)
- go to Annaghmakkerig for a writing retreat
- go to other people's readings and festival a bit more regularly

Is there anything else from 2009 I meant to do but didn't? Things that are within my control, I mean. Not like win the lottery or get another job. I should have done a workshop or two with established, inspirational writers.

Howth Yacht Club Literary Readings

I've never seen literary evenings in Howth so give them your support.

All readings are free and open to the public at 

the Howth Yacht Club, Harbour Road.

Hugo Hamilton—Friday 8 January 8 p.m.

Hugo Hamilton is the award winning author of the memoir The Speckled People.  His latest novel is Disguise (2009).  This spring a new novel, Trespassing, will be released.

Catherine Bailey & Ted Deppe—Saturday 9 January 8 p.m.

Catherine Bailey is a fiction writer, playwright, and textile artist from Pennsylvania.
Ted Deppe’s latest books of poems are Cape Clear (Salmon) & Orpheus on the Red Line.

Kate Newmann & Joan Newmann—Sunday 10 January 8 p.m.

Donegal-based poets Kate and Joan Newmann co-authored Belongings in 2009.  Kate is author of The Blind Woman in the Blue House and Joan’s latest book of poems is Prone.

Annie Deppe & Lewis Robinson—Tuesday 12 January 8 p.m.

Annie Deppe’s latest book of poems is Wren Cantata, from Summer Palace Press (2009).
Lewis Robinson most recent book is Water Dogs, a 2009 novel from Random House.

A Stonecoast Sampler—Wednesday 13 January 7:30 p.m.

A lively evening with U.S. writers Amy Alvarez, Mihku Paul Anderson, Vincent Basso, Ashley Horn, Mary Pauer, Joanne Turnbull, Julie Scharf, & Tamra Wilson.  Join us!

Costa Winners

I haven't read any of these. I did hear Colm Toibin read an extract from Brooklyn. Wasn't immediately struck by the urgent need to buy and read it. (If anyone wants me to review, let me know.) I'm tempted by Beauty (There's a phrase)

This year's Category Award Winners are:

2009 Costa Novel Award Winner
Colm Toibin - Brooklyn
Judges: "Poised, quiet and incrementally shattering - we all loved this book and can't praise it highly enough."


2009 Costa First Novel Award Winner
Raphael Selbourne - Beauty
Judges: "Pitch perfect on every level - we loved this book."


2009 Costa Biography Award Winner
Graham Farmelo - The Strangest Man
Judges: "The extraordinary mind and achievements of Britain's Einstein are rendered here in the most compelling biography of the year."


2009 Costa Poetry Award Winner
Christopher Reid- A Scattering
Judges: "Intensely moving, compelling and honest - this is a highly readable collection of wonderful poems."


2009 Costa Children's Book Award Winner
Patrick Ness - The Ask and the Answer (Chaos Walking, Book Two)
Judges: "From the first word, we were gripped by this dazzlingly-imagined, morally complex, compulsively-plotted tale. We are convinced that this is a major achievement in the making."

More to read here

Review of the Year

Belated Review of 2009.

A good year on an upward trend.
374 blog posts, that's more than one a day, you lucky readers. Some long, some wordy, some cut and paste, some wishful, some boastful, some regretful.
A few poems, two short stories, one article and one non-fiction piece published or broadcast. A good few readings (some even paid), 2 grants (to pay for the non-paid stuff and residencies) and loads of rejections.

January
Productive week in Annaghmakerrig with one poet and an eleven piece Jazz Band. Worked mainly on novel but also some popping poems and a short story buffing.

February
Repeated my Lyric FM/Quiet Quarter Tree piece (see sidebar for podcast)
My poem, The Flight of Swallows shortlisted for the Grist anthology, judged by Simon Armitige, University of Huddersfield. Published in October/November.

March
Attended Poetry Workshop at the Dublin Book Fair with Maeve McGuckian.
Accepted on Poetry Ireland Writers in School scheme

April
My poem, This Poem illustrated and exhibited at NGG Gallery in Temple Bar with readings.
Lyric FM/Quiet Quarter to include by Beech Tree piece in their anthology published December

May
Grant from South Dublin County Council to write poems. Yay.
Lyric FM Quiet Quarter record and paid for pieces (but never broadcast) see sidebar for podcast

June
Volunteered at the Dublin Writers' Festival. Brilliant fun.
Taught a short story workshop in Dundalk. Great group. Always learn something myself.

July
Travel piece, Hidden Gems published in the Irish Times.
Poem Verbatim finally published in the lovely magazine The Shop

August
Triumphant appearance of the Poetry Diva Collective at CastlePalooza Festival on the main stage
Warmly received appearance of the Poetry Diva Collective at Flat Lake Festival, Radio Butty on the back of a horse box.
Short Story Ginny Blythe Writes Down the Complete Honest Truth published in Sunday Tribune. Up for the Hennessy now.

Damp and delicious appearances of the Poetry Diva Collective at Electric Picnic, literary stage and in Body and Soul
Taught a children's writing workshop at the Hugh Lane Gallery
Bursary for writing poetry from the Arts Council. Yay
Poem Developing Shadows published in Derry magazine Abridged

October
Taught teen workshop in Clara Library. Inventive.
5 days respite in Annaghamakkerig. Not long enough.
Interviewed by the Legend that is Niamh on Liffey Sound radio
Read a chocolate cake poem at the Chocolate Festival, Temple Bar

November
Read at Glor, International Bar. Great fun. Will do it again if they'll have me.
Read poem at Grist launch in Huddersfield
Sunday Miscellany took a piece on the Berlin Wall for the anniversary. (See sidebar for podcast)

December
Short story The End of the Ice Age published in Kay's BOok, South Dublin County Libraries
Volunteered at Fighting Words. Great fun.
Taught a teen workshop in Newbridge. Great bunch of boys.


Rejections
Crannog (again, giving up on them), Stingy Fly (yet again), Strokestown (yet again) Mslexia short story and poems (again) Southword (again, glad though, as they went online and I'm not keen) Kildare County Council, Poetry Ireland Review, Listowel Poetry Collection, Fiddlehead (Canada,) Smiths Knoll (UK,) Acumen (UK,) Dart Poetry Competition, Dromineer, Inkspotters (Canada,) Troubadour (UK,) Varilux short story, Poetry Can (UK,) Patrick Kavanagh (again, though they sent a nice, encouraging letter,) Contrary (US)

My aspirations for 2010 are pending.

Quiet Quarter

The weekend Irish Times did a lovely review of the Quiet Quarter Anthology, Ten years of Great Irish Writing Edited by Máire Nic Gearailt and published by New Island. The review was by the well-read, astute Eilis Nu Dhuibhne. The pieces are all only a few hundred words and there is a great range. I have a piece in there and am reading my copy slowly on the loo. It's a perfect read for the smallest room in my humble opinion. You can buy your copy here.



Apart from my piece (see the side bar for the podcast), there are 130 other pieces from a huge range of writers.

The Quiet Quarter slot is much missed, not only for listeners who appreciated the quiet moment to contemplate, but also as one of the diminishing revenue strands for writers. The reason for the cut from RTE was just the money. Such a shame.

Things people have typed and ended up here

As in how some people found this blog.
Most of people type the name of the blog, which is nice.
Also Poetry Divas Collective!
Lots of people type in their own or other people's names.
Hawthornden Castle Fellowship is popular too.

- pregnant goldfish
- a doll in the corner
- adventurous sexual encounters - Maybe this will increase my hits
- dissing haiku - someone has to
- do quality poets publish online? - Do they?
- do it your self castle outdoor sculpture
- erotic short stories that pays 10 c per word - That's a good deal
- faaber publishrs uk submissions - better check your spelling first
- finished a book and now what - good idea for a post
- full lake kilk in big boobs
- google sexy women in west cork
- he is shit at them haiku uiscebot - Possibly my favourite
- kiltoom castle and the paranormal
- is simon nixon getting married - is he?
- interesting - I hope so!
- homeless guy in kinsale
- i love emo
- james trumpet player wears a dress - yes, I know
- munchtime auckland
- poems about losing darts
- when is roisin ingle's birthday
- wellies

Franco-Irish Literary Festival competition

Franco-Irish Literary Festival which takes place on the 16th, 17th and 18th of April 2010 in Dublin.

This year they have a writing competition.

-A short story or short poem on the theme of “The City”.
- In English or in French.
- 500 to 1000 words

Deadline: 31st March 2010.

-All stories will be displayed during the Franco-Irish Literary Festival.

Prizes: There will be two winners of this competition, one Irish - who will receive a free French course, of his/her choice, at the Alliance Francaise and one French - who will be able to choose from a wide range of creative writing courses at the Irish writers’ Centre.